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Banquet Speech

Lars Onsager's speech at the Nobel Banquet
in Stockholm, December 10, 1968

Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies
and Gentlemen,

I have received the greatest honor in my life - and the greatest
surprise. Never did I dream that the Nobel Prize could be awarded
for the reciprocal relations. Not that I felt bashful about the
work, but how does one equate a principle with a discovery? It is
not the naked principle but rather the philosophy that goes with
it; by and by, that is fruitful.

But a joy it is, so much greater because
all those who ever shared anything with me, whether in youthful
play or in earnest endeavor, they are so glad, all of them!